Story Time With Gary – This Homebuyer Was a Gem

Quite some time ago, I was helping an older gentleman sell his very nice home in Bay Park.

Back then, the normal procedure was for the agent to present the buyer’s offer. This agent brought his client with him to make the offer, which was a little unusual.

I was sitting with the owner and the buyer comes in with his agent and says, “I want to present the offer myself.”

This was highly unusual. Not only that, the buyer seemed a little agitated. He seemed like a strange character. He proceeded to make the offer, saying, “I am offering you full price, and I will pay you in gemstones.”

The seller was a reserved gentleman, so he listened as the buyer continued. The buyer said, “If you take this offer to your attorney to review and he says it’s not legal, I’ll sue him. If you take it to your CPA and your CPA says it isn’t right, then I’ll sue your CPA.”

“Of course, the seller and I did not accept the gemstones.”

The seller and I simply thanked him and told him we would get back to him later. Of course, the seller and I talked about it and did not accept the offer.

Another strange thing about gemstones is that while a gemstone may appraise at $100, it can be traded on the open market for $10. Basically, this mysterious buyer was trying to pay about one-tenth of the value of the house.

We told the buyer’s agent that we did not wish to speak with the client again and asked that he please go sell the gemstone buyer a different house.

If you are thinking of selling or buying a house—with financing or actual money—just give me a call or send me an email with any questions you may have. I would be happy to help you!